Rip

I started these six Red Sexlinks May 09', been free-ranging them. Three were taken in two different occasions due to dogs, during the day. The last three were on the loose roaming everywhere for over a year without an incident. They would greet me nearly every day at the rear garage door, then disappear on their rounds. They would reappear 2-3 in the afternoon around and under the pool deck. During the day they would come running to see me for a handout, if around. If I mowed they eventually would show up, again for a handout. Most evenings just they would see me again at the rear garage door for their scratch grain before bed. If within ear-shot they always came when called, "chick-chick-chick". Today I would scan the back yard from time to time without seeing them, not completely unusual when I'm busy. In the evening when they weren't at the rear garage door for their bed-time snack, something was up? I found them in the run dead, all heads removed and necks down to the bone. I have totally enjoyed them in the yard, it's just relaxing watching them. They supplied me with many breakfasts for sometime now also. Glad they had been free to roam... RIP girls

Time to re-stock. Too pretty of a breed not to have on your lawn, and if I might say out loud, they were getting ready to be freeloaders... No eggs... all feed... Sorry again. Seems like raccoons got them.

That's free rangin' for ya! I free range too and know all too well my day is coming. I have yet to lose any, but I know it will happen one day. Wait to start the new flock in the spring and take up the new hobby of varmint trapping over the winter. That is going to be my new hobby this winter. I hate coons and their gonna feel it this winter!